Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service   Hinchingbrooke Cottage Huntingdon PE29 2NA

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has been associated with the Public Service Degree at APU Cambridge since Dr. Dave Baigent approached us to help with its design.  Alongside the other uniformed services (police, prison customs and excise and all three wings of the military) we took part in the first discussions to agree the syllabus.  Each year we all meet up with the students and staff to ensure the syllabus stays up to date.  We were also pleased to take part in the recent review of the degree by the Government’s Quality Assurance Agency and welcome the very positive report that they have issued.

We recognise that APU, by being the first university to develop a Public Service Degree, is providing the type of education that the uniformed public services need: a high quality degree that has contemporary relevance.  In particular we are pleased that the syllabus concentrates on providing a well rounded individual who has good interpersonal skills, knowledge of emergency planning, sociology, politics, forensic science, intercultural awareness and management as well as a considerable understanding of how uniformed public services operate.  We are also pleased that equality and diversity are fundamental components of the degree because they help graduates understand the wider context in which the uniformed public services have to operate.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has actively worked with the University to develop a course that really addresses the needs of professionals working within today’s public services.  The combination of employer support, up-to-date academic knowledge and the practical, hands on approach delivered by the course, ensures that it addresses some of the most challenging issues facing the public sector in today’s world, many of which we have to grapple with on a daily basis.  Because of our relationship with APU and the Public Service Degree and because we believe it is working towards improving public services, we have and will continue to allow staff from the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service day release to take this degree in order to contribute positively to the public safety agenda and to assist with their continuing professional development.

T M CARROLL

CHIEF FIRE OFFICER